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Fanny stood several feet away from him. She feared she would faint. This was not a simple decision, not something she could easily reverse. This was a turning point for the rest of her life. Did she really wish to spend it with a stranger? She took a deep, shaking breath and reassured herself that he would not be a stranger forever. Years would pass and they would come to know one another. If nothing more, at least they would become friends. She couldn’t allow herself to hope for an entirely happy marriage of love. Fondness was already a stretch of hope.
With a huffed breath, the vicar took her by the arm and pulled her closer to Mr. Wellington. She squeezed her eyes closed. To her relief, the vicar began speaking almost immediately. It was a quick, cold ceremony, and Fanny could hardly hear anything over her racing heart. She steadied herself with a breath and stole a fleeting glance at her betrothed, if only to see any measure of comfort in his face. To her dismay, his expression seemed to match perfectly the shock, fear, and resentment burning within her.
Mr. Wellington’s jaw tightened as they were pronounced man and wife.
“Now, Miss Clarke, you sign here.” The vicar’s long, aged finger pointed to a sheet of parchment.
She willed her hand not to shake as she took the quill. The signature that resulted resembled that of a child. Ignoring the look of surprise from the vicar, she pressed her lips together and returned the quill to his hand.
“Thank you. Now, Mr. Wellington…”
Fanny watched carefully as the vicar guided the quill to Mr. Wellington and positioned his hand above his designated area of the parchment. When his hand was released, he scribbled a quick but immaculate signature.
“Excellent.”
After the proper farewells had been exchanged, she and Mr. Wellington were directed to the coach that would convey them to Wellington Manor—to her new home. She swallowed her fears and allowed Mr. Wellington’s cousin to help her into the coach. Tucking the long skirts of her wedding gown away from the door, it swung shut, leaving her alone with her husband.Her husband?The thought was entirely ridiculous but entirely true. She should have been relieved, having a place to live in comfort, but riding home with this stranger filled her with unease.
The wheels of the coach began moving forward. Mr. Wellington still hadn’t spoken to her. She clasped and unclasped her hands in her lap, aware of the sweat accumulating in her gloves. She hadn’t the slightest idea of how to talk to a blind man! Surely it was just the same as speaking to a sighted man, but she had little experience with either. Her eyes flickered to him. He was sitting with pristine posture. The look on his face told her that he didn’t intend to make light conversation.
Gathering her courage, she took a deep breath. Despite the strange circumstances that brought this marriage about, she was determined to make the most of it. She swallowed. “What a beautiful day it is.”
His head tilted toward her. His eyebrows rose for a moment. “Is it?”
Her face bloomed with heat. “I didn’t mean to—”
“I fear I don’t know just how beautiful this day is.” His voice was dull.
She was silent for several seconds, struggling to find words to combat his remark. She had only been trying to make conversation! Why must he make her feel so daft? Anger boiled beneath her skin but she breathed deeply to stop it. “The wordbeautifuldoes not only encompass sight. You misunderstood my meaning.”
He crossed his arms, a tired expression crossing his face. “How so?”
She could tell he didn’t care to hear her reply, but she spoke anyway. “The air is warm with sunshine. That is beautiful. The air smells of flowers. And if you listen closely, you can hear the breezes, the chirping of birds, and the buzzing insects. What is seen is but a small fraction of the beauty of this day. It was also our wedding day. I have always thought weddings to be a rather beautiful thing.”
Mr. Wellington’s brow furrowed. “I suspect you are trying to make me feel better.”
She nodded with a hesitant smile. “Yes, I am.”
He smiled. There was something wrong with that smile. “Well, please do not. I should like to take the remainder of this drive in silence.” He turned his head away from her.
Her face fell. For a moment, she didn’t know what to do. She gritted her teeth. If he thought she would be silent, he was mistaken. “I don’t deny what I just said. In fact, you are only proving my point.”
She raised her chin and waited for a reply. He didn’t flinch.
“Beauty is not only what is seen, indeed. Because youarehandsome, surely you must know, but entirely unpleasant otherwise.”
His eyes jerked to her direction, wide with surprise. She wished he could see her smirk.
It took a moment for his expression to smooth over. He opened his mouth to speak but closed it again and turned toward the window, shaking his head.
“Now. I shallchooseto take the remainder of this drive in silence,” she said in a pointed voice, turning toward her own window. Mr. Wellington threw one more scowl in her direction before leaning his head back.
Fanny released a long, slow breath. She felt only slightly guilty for her choice of words. How absurd that the man had made no attempts to be kind to his new wife. She had hoped he would be a gentleman. Did he have no desire for a happy future with her?
Her gaze traveled to Mr. Wellington again.
He looked positively vexed.
For the first time all day, she found herself with something to smile about.
